UK & IRELAND TODDLER BREAKS DESTINATIONS 3


OF THE BEST


Kids’ activities in Minehead


West Somerset Railway:


Take a steam


train journey on the UK’s longest heritage railway, and stop off in small harbour


town of Watchet for lunch. Adult return £15;


under-fives free. west-somerset- railway.co.uk


Minehead Beach: Build sandcastles, take a stroll along the


promenade and explore the traditional seaside


town’s small independent shops, crazy golf and


amusement arcades.


visitsomerset. co.uk


Dunster: Set in Exmoor National Park, this pretty village has a doll museum with toys


from the ages. Overlooking the village on a hill is the 11th-century Dunster Castle. visitdunster.co.uk


ABOVE: Seaside apartment


LEFT: Noah in the ‘monster truck’ at Little Tikes Town


to do we had trouble fitting everything in, but activities are repeated throughout the week so if you miss it one day, you can do it the next. But it’s best to book in advance, as we found out on one rainy day! There is everything from mini bow


(crossbow), football and Play-Doh sessions to puppet shows, arts and crafts, and a tots’ disco. Noah tried the learn-to-cycle


programme Balanceability, and while he was desperate to get going – though that might have been more to do with getting to wear a yellow helmet than getting in the saddle – he first had his balancing skills put to the test with two fun, friendly coaches. Half of the 30-minute session was spent learning balancing and riding skills without a bike, imitating ‘dinosaur steps’ to encourage them to move their legs on the bike, stepping stones that increased in height, and the ‘crocodile’, where ‘aeroplane arms’ helped steady them. The other big hit was the Little Stars


Fairground, which opens at 8.30am (a bonus for early risers), where Noah was excited to try out his flying, driving and ladybug-steering skills, especially since the rides were adult-free zones. As was the adjacent soft play centre, where Noah learnt to hurl himself over spongy walls and squeeze through soft rollers without a helping hand from mummy or daddy. Most facilities close at 4pm, but soft play stays open until 7pm, which is a godsend for toddlers with a later bedtime.


Little Tikes Town is packed with Cozy Coupe cars in the form of fire engines, taxi cabs, police cars and monster trucks


jets powering the not-so-lazy river at Splash Waterworld. For kids at the older end of the scale,


there’s also the Blue Comet, Master Blaster, Black Hole and Space Bowl slides, so those who top the one-metre height requirement can have their fun without splashing younger siblings. As well as the main pool, there is


a shallow baby pool, heat-adjusted whirlpool and small pool where Puddle Ducks swimming lessons (£5) are held. But car-mad Noah’s favourite area


w WATER BABIES After missing the swimming pool the first day, it was a must every day after that. The main pool is filled with floats, noodles and conical buckets, though Noah freestyled it and screamed with delight as he and his rubber ring were boosted by underwater


of the resort was undoubtedly Little Tikes Town, where a race track is packed with Cozy Coupe cars in the form of fire engines, taxi cabs, police cars and even monster trucks. He loved it so much he even helped drive the different vehicles into the ‘garage’ when it closed. A close second was this Just for


Tots break’s main attraction, kids’ TV presenter and entertainer Justin Fletcher. The queue built up along with the excitement an hour before the show, but the wait was worth it. Noah stared open-mouthed, awestruck at seeing “real-life Justin” who worked Centre Stage with lively singing and dancing, wearing a glittery waistcoat and flashing shoes. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po,


aka the Teletubbies, took to the stage in the Skyline Pavilion, along with Mr Men and Little Miss Live, Danger Mouse and the Skyline Gang. To avoid the queues, B-Line Fast


Passes (£17.50 per person for four nights) give holders access to Centre Stage shows 15 minutes before the rest of the audience, so you can enjoy the resort until just before show starts.


19 October 2017 travelweekly.co.uk 71


PICTURE: STEPHANIE KRAHN


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